The Augusta Chronicle, Ga., Bill Kirby column

April 09--Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn't block traffic. -- Dan Rather

Masters Week is always a challenge for motorists.

It's no surprise when you have so many people from out of town trying to navigate an unfamiliar and changing route while so many people who live here seem surprised they can't drive the way they usually do.

Complicating it all is that we are near South Carolina, which an insurance company Web site said this week has the second-worst drivers in America.

Yes, I am sad to report to my many Palmetto State friends, but CarInsuranceComparison.com says traveling on your highways is dangerous. The only state that ranked worse was Louisiana and its drivers have to flee hurricanes and contend with Mardi Gras and LSU fans.

The ranking report factored in statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the National Motorists Association and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

States were scored based on their fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, their failure to obey traffic signals and seat belt laws, drunken driving, tickets and careless driving. The report points to more than roadway danger.

"The higher the score in each category, the worse the drivers, and the higher your state's car insurance rates could be," states CarInsuranceComparison.

AAA Carolinas won't dispute the ranking.

"When we look at the number of fatalities per vehicle miles traveled, South Carolina repeatedly ranks in the top five most dangerous states," Angela Daley, a AAA spokeswoman, told Sarita Chourey, our Morris News Service reporter in Columbia.

She said South Carolina is one of two states in the country that has no texting ban of any kind, even for teenage drivers.

"Increased enforcement and stiffer penalties, particularly for repeat drunk drivers, along with a texting-while-driving ban will help make South Carolina's roads safer," Daley said.

Georgia ranked 14th in the report, not bad considering it's now the eighth largest state in the nation.

Elsewhere, North Carolina tied for No. 7 with Missouri, Florida was No. 6, Alabama ranked No. 5, and Mississippi was only one notch better than South Carolina, at No. 3.

GOLF COURSE SCIENCE: Hazards attract; fairways repel.

TODAY'S GOLF JOKE: Shared by Anne Bowen: A foursome is playing its regular round of golf when a funeral procession goes by on the street next to the course. One of the golfers removes his cap and stands silently until the procession has passed.

"That was respectful," one of his buddies comments, "you don't see many people do that anymore."

"Well," responds his friend, "we were married for 40 years."

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